Multiple Sclerosis: The Nurses' Role Using a Self-Care Framework

Abstract

The case study illustrates a number of self-care deficits typically experienced by MS clients, as well as the impact of the illness on the family as MS progresses. The illness profile presented in the case study represents a progressive form of MS. This form has an average age onset of 37 years and is generally accompanied by a steadily worsening condition. The progressive form is in contrast to the benign and remittent-progressive forms of MS. The benign form has an average age onset of approximately 29 years, is usually characterized by a few acute attacks and followed by either complete recovery or relatively few sequelae. The remittent-progressive type has an average age onset of approximately 33 years and is characterized by a number of disease relapses with either the appearance of new symptoms or the sudden worsening of old symptoms (Confavreux, Aimard, & Devic, 1980). Studies have shown that the younger the person is when MS appears the longer the period before a progressive course is experienced, whereas the older the person is at onset of MS the more rapid is the disease course (Fog & Linnemann, 1970; Poser, Raun, & Poser, 1982).